Shadwell's Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), winner of the G2 Prix Dollar at ParisLongchamp last out on Oct. 1, is due to make his first start of his 5-year-old campaign soon, trainer Owen Burrows confirmed on Wednesday.
“He's good, he's in strong work. I've made an entry for him in the [G1] Tattersalls Gold Cup and he'll also have an entry for those two group races in France–the [G1 Prix] Ganay and the [G1] Prix d'Ispahan. One is at the end of April and one's at the end of May.”
The gelding began last year with a half-length success in the John Smith's Cup on July 9 at York and then landed a win in the G3 Betfred Rose Of Lancaster S. by four lengths at Haydock on Aug. 6.
Burrows went on to say, “You've got Group 3s at Sandown–Gordon Richards and the Brigadier Gerard–but he'd have a Group 2 penalty in those, so I think if we're happy and he's showing all the right signs at home, then why not have a crack?”
As for other members of the Shadwell lineup in his care, plans for the return of Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who won the G1 Coronation Cup over Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) last June, are also under advisement. A hind leg injury ended the full-brother to Baaeed (GB)'s year, but after a successful operation, he began the rehabilitation process. A bid later this year for the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe could be feasible.
“I was speaking to Angus [Gold, Shadwell racing manager] about a month ago about whether we'd be brave enough to go back to Epsom first time out, but we're probably not,” said Burrows.
“We'll probably have a prep run somewhere in May, with a view to the main target being the [G2] Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot and then the races are all pretty mapped out for him. The good thing with him is that he's shown a preference for going on soft ground, so it's lovely to think he'd be turning up in France in October. He's rehabbed well and Sheikha Hissa was quite keen to give him another chance.”
Burrows also provided an update on Alflaila (GB) Dark Angel {Ire}), who scored a trio of listed and Group 3 victories at the end of last season before sustaining a fracture to his left fetlock. That ruled him out for a Bahrain run in November, but he is making strides with his recovery and is expected back soon.
“Alflaila is still back at Shadwell, I had an update a few weeks ago and he was back cantering,” he said. “I'm hoping he'll be back with me next week or the week after at the latest.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
